What ALL GREAT Composers Had in Common

What I learned after studying HUNDREDS of scores! This trait that is shared amongst the greatest composers...will help you appreciate the genius behind these composers' music and also level up your performances!
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As always, thank you so much for watching, and thank you to all of you that leave comments.

[@sebastianchand8392]

i had a very good composing teacher who said that making great sounding music wasnt as hard as one may think. creating great sounding passages as those illustrated here is not as challenging as finding the right place for them. so its not about how the music sounds but rather about the narrative, the form of the whole. what all great composers had in common was their ability to put the structure of the piece to the service of the music

[@NahreSol]

💯

[@jakubziak7441]

YEEEEES!!! Absolutely agree! Thats why I always disagree when my fellow composer-friends or anyone tells me thats its only about harmony. The form, orchestration, develompent, motiffic work... these are the true tools for writing great music ! Not only the harmony, altough its not less important.

[@monscarmeli]

This is a crucial point. Obviously you must know counterpoint, harmony, invention, and all that; but without being able to actually "compose" it all into an effective whole, you get little more than an interesting comp exercise. Yet, once you can grasp the long-range form and the "story" to be "told", then you will "form" something that will "speak" to people.

[@DeflatingAtheism]

The same goes for performance as well. Sometimes a passage has to be played less-beautifully, so that the piece as a whole can be more beautiful in its total effect.

[@Don-James]

Profoundly true.

[@EricGross]

Thanks to a much older brother, I have listened to this music for 65 years and Nahre Sol is an absolute genus. Her videos are utterly revelatory. I am so grateful to your presence on youtube.

[@NahreSol]

Thank you so much…! ☺️🙏🏻

[@laurenth7187]

Thanks to me you will come even a bit closer to heaven :-)

[@lathankyles687]

@@NahreSol yooo Nahre I would love to meet you one day! You’re my favorite pianist!!

[@hoosas5998]

Idk about a genus, maybe a species. Hard to say.

[@EricGross]

@@hoosas5998 genus and species for the sake of precision. Let's add genius for the sake of accurate description.

[@mudswallow5074]

Your channel is like music appreciation for musicians. Thank you Nahre.

[@NahreSol]

Thank YOU!!

[@zentkd4525]

Very well put! It's great to hear someone who does so much research explain their findings in the language of a practicing musician instead of a traditional researcher. The metaphoric or synaesthetic vocabulary may not be the most accessible approach for non-musicians, I guess, but for musicians this channel feels, like said above, highly appreciative. Please keep it this way.

[@mrknoch]

I would have to agree with @Eric Gross. She is a genius. I've learned more from her videos and garnered a deeper understanding of musical style, history and theory than all my college courses. I've taught music for 28 years now. Thanks, Nahre Sol, and keep up the good work.

[@GianmarioScotti]

The description of Bach''s style at 8:01 is one of the most interesting insights in music I have ever heard.

[@truecuckoo]

So nice! I like how you point out that any little change to a great piece will likely just kinda ruin it. I feel like composing your best piece is like building a house of cards. Care and delicacy for the emotional story 💯 or it’ll collapse to a flat stack.

[@NahreSol]

Thanks Cuckoo!! I agree - “building a house of cards” is a great way of putting it…!! ☺️

[@wuwupiano]

I find Brahms does this so well. His recapitulations are achingly touching, because of that care for the emotional story you're talking about.

[@NickHchaos]

Actually I think that’s kind of the brilliance of jazz-endless variations (that work) in realtime on a theme. You could argue that the same logic applies for the original composition, but the interpretation of the composition is at least as important as the original in this case..finding out just how many related stacks of cards you can make from that particular deck, if you want to say.

[@none5020]

I would love for you to do a video going over the music of Camille Saint-Seans. His piano works especially, mazurkas, waltzs, op 72 etc, it's all incredibly complex and scattered, yet very simple ingredients how you describe, and it comes together like a Michelin star meal!

[@NahreSol]

You’re right, I haven’t covered Saint-Saëns yet 😅 I really love some of his pieces!

[@none5020]

@@NahreSol He's very difficult to play 😭 I love and hate him mostly love.

[@worldmusictheory]

@@none5020 he was also an alleged pedophile so yano.

[@_rstcm]

@@NahreSol OMG.....Check out Respighi's musical genius.

[@zanemeek9042]

@@_rstcm Respighi doesn't get enough love and respect. Dude was really, really good and his music still resonates today.

[@Gryffindor8]

I’ve literally had composition lessons going over these exact topics. Your ability to combine performance techniques with composition techniques is truly brilliant and would revolutionize music schools.

[@Dianelee999]

You are articulating the gestalt of a musical piece. The very fact of our humanity, and hence our unique nervous system, lends attack, hesitation, and strength changes, as well as an interpretive signature to whatever we play. This is the reason I have intolerance for music that has “fixed” all of the “mistakes” in pitch and time. Happy holidays, Nahre ❤🙏

[@christophergetchell6490]

This makes me think that there is less of a gulf between us improvisors and composers overall! I had always thought that composing was more of an intentional matter of taking theoretical elements of music and using them to "paint a picture" with a known palette of theory and technique. It seems that the idea of "just letting it flow" applies to both!

[@NahreSol]

Thank you for this comment!! This is seriously such a great point to consider 🙏🏻

[@GizzyDillespee]

A weird thing about improvising into an audio recorder, with the intent to listen back later and keep the better stuff... I started to hear instances of "oh wait, that should be like THIS" moments, where I'd be in the middle of a jam and play something almost good, and then immediately afterwards a better version of that same phrase, and then continue with the rest of the jam. IOW, while I was playing, subconsciously I'd set it up so I could go back and edit out the bad phrase. And the timing and cuts almost always worked out perfectly, if done in the moment like that. I think that developed because previously, I had to go back later and punch in, and all my excessive little micro-timings would be different, and it was so obvious it was edited. The weird thing is that it was a subconscious development. I'm not quick or observant enough to notice a poorly played but good phrase, and fix it, consciously, well enough so that the edit will work later. Therefore, if other people are like that, then your realest and best music is probably improvised... And with our audio and MIDI recording tools (even just onboard digital pianos) it makes sense to build compositions around improvisations, even for people who consider themselves to be composers first. Not if it's a procedural compositional method etc, but if you're conveying emotions? Of course! Improv is the most direct way to get emotions out musically, so... yeah.

[@Beth-77]

@@GizzyDillespeean online jazz teacher said many classical composers actually improvised like jazz musicians, even in performances. I thought was so cool

[@dorianclini]

Awesome, thank you! Here are my takeaways: • Having EMOTIONS as a PRIMARY FOCUS • Paying ATTENTION TO how each technical DETAIL can AFFECT these emotions • Not hesitating to USE BASIC ELEMENTS (with purpose, these basic elements will convey unique emotions). Those are great reminders, especially when we lose track of them due to a lack of inspiration.

[@_sonicfive]

Nahre. You are a wonderful human being. Thank you for caring about us and sharing your knowledge and excitement about music.

[@Mamby9Pamby]

You have crystalized a very important point that most musicians recognize but had no words. Beautiful efficiency.

[@creativelym8284]

This is such a valuable video Nahre. It just got better with every section. Bravo!!🎉👏

[@brianmccloskey8364]

Love your channel! As a composer this is exactly what we strive to do and is so difficult to achieve. You described and illustrated it so well.

[@particalman1016]

I love this channel! I'm not that much of a musician but I do love the piano, and you breaking down the complexity of learning about the technical aspects of music is so interesting and captures my short attention span unlike any book of lecture would do. Thank you so much! I actually think I'm learning something! You're awesome!

[@TDRKB]

You are such a talent Nahre. Some of your videos have complexity beyond my comprehension, but this one really hit the mark with me. It was so interesting, entertaining and informative. You have been blessed with a natural talent not only in your piano playing abilities, but in your way that you communicate at all levels. I was blown away by the way you Changed up pieces of music to communicate your message. These videos must take a lot of time and effort. Thank you for sharing!

[@DorothyOzmaLover]

Memorable & thoughtful content as always! Truer words have never been said about crystalization being an art and not a science which is why it's beauty varies from composer to composer and reaveals why everything Nahre creates doesn't sounds like any other.

[@Nogdev]

I have often felt that great music and great literature are the same, in how they are intricately build worlds subject to an endless exploration. A great story always feels right; you don't feel like changing a single word, let alone a scene. Your analysis reminded me of that idea. Thanks for the great work as always Ms. Sol. Looking forward to more insights like these.

[@M0M...]

Yes, please! I would love for you to explore this topic deeper! I agree with you on the importance of conveying a particular emotion with music. It's a tricky thing to explain, so I think these types of videos are SUPER valuable

[@shiwakao]

i think this video is also a great example of how important sheet music is. sheet musc standards allows for nearly every intricacy to be communicated even to someone who has never heard the piece before. without even just a few missing notations, lots of this crystallization can be lost in translation.

[@virginiahouser1060]

Dear Nahre, I am so grateful for you! ☺ You have a gift for conveying knowledge in a wonderfully warm and appealing manner. I am a professional pianist and, without fail, learn from your presentations; yet, they are just as accessible and enjoyable to amateur music lovers, young and old, of all levels. Kudos! Keep up the fine work! 👍

[@amanrahman5164]

I love how you answered this question. I want to know more about how you define and see crystallization in music, and why you find it useful even though it is mysterious and kind of abstract to me. keep up the incredible work!

[@lukeserrano62]

Exactly right Ms Sol. All compositional decisions need to be guided by a very clear emotional intention directing the musical storytelling and every detail of rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, colour etc. Without emotional clarity there can be no musical clarity or consistency in either composition or interpretation. Musicians young and old need to hear this every day! Thank you for your wonderful work. I love your pianistic skills and the workings of your creative and analytical musical mind.

[@timothylee8552]

You open that poetic emotion space I never experienced in music. I'm so grateful find your channel !! 👍

[@musonymous]

You always get to the essence of things and every point is made concisely and clearly. I would love to hear you explore Bartok and the influence of Hungarian folk elements in his music. I also loved your exploration of flamenco. It was one of your best clips although it’s impossible to pick a favourite. Thankyou for your inspirational work.

[@RolandHuettmann]

Always enjoying, and always joyful. Thank you from the heart.

[@Khaliszt]

I simply love your videos. Even as just a hobbyist pianist, this inspires me so much that I wish I could make my thoughts fly into a score and smash the pentagram with at least half of your understading of music and it's depth. It is out of the box, and I thank you infinitely for sharing it.

[@pdxmonkee]

Like Hans Zimmer said in one of his interviews, don't just write music but tell a story. And I think that's the genius in all the music. Each one has a unique story to tell, using their own "voice " and vulnerability they expose themselves through their music. Holding to their own, each one of them made a "language" so unique to them and us, as their listeners, recognize their sound very distinctively.I think these "voices" are lost or silenced now because of too many standards the are imposed where in fact, these standards are just merely uniqueness.

[@SkyCloudSilence]

Ngl, I actually hate music that "tells a story".

[@mel4340]

​@@SkyCloudSilence all music "tells a story".. So what do you mean?

[@mel4340]

@@SkyCloudSilence that’s fair, although imo every composer would like to tell a story with their music. And even though i think most people miss it when it comes to music without lyrics, most of them also end up, like you said, projecting their own stories into the music, just like we do with every piece of art. But i do understand your point, I just believe that all composers do tell a story with their compositions because that’s what makes a composer great aside than many other abilities. But then again, this is just what i think personally and there is no evidence to prove my point, and I think this discussion can end with us realizing that almost everything about music is subjective, to me, a music might have a story, to you, it might not, who is right in that case? No one, because there is no right or wrong when it comes to music.. Thank you for this lovely discussion!

[@SkyCloudSilence]

@@mel4340 Yea, for sure! 👍

[@vandini8185]

You are a gift. I'm just in awe of someone expressing these thoughts I unconsciously felt but did not have the expertise or experience to express. It's an honour to learn from someone as capable and enthusiastic as you. I'm in awe of how on point you are, and how I can get access to all this crystallised knowledge for free. I'm a professional writer actually, so I felt honoured when you compared the magic of music with that of poetry and stories. 💛 Stay blessed. I love your teaching! 💖

[@kerawelt2008]

You are insanely talented ! Your videos are so exciting.

[@panimbryk]

This video truly opened my eyes! I felt that I already knew a lot about interpretation in music but I've never thought of playing a piece with a slight alteration which even more shows the beauty of it. Thank you, this is really valuable :)))

[@richiebeirach3671]

very well done girl !! the way you characterize those magic moments are GREAT !!congrats !! please do more

[@wongy323]

this video is genius, this is probably what separates a great musician from a good musician. Super informative and affects how I think about music and practising. I always imagine how it would be like if I have a professor like you when I was an undergraduate🙇🏿‍♂️🙇🏿‍♂️🙇🏿‍♂️

[@user-uz7gb7gb4v]

The insights you offer astound me every time. Thank you so much for these wonderful videos!

[@GrndhwgStudioMagic]

Love your teaching style, thank you so much

[@gsco82]

I really enjoyed your very thoughtful analysis of the music of such great composers. I would love to see more of this, even though my knowledge of music theory is barely above beginner level. You are a great pianist.

[@schmutz06]

your ability to put across ideas with the visualisations is so good, thanks for your videos. They always makes me want to play piano, I am self taught and never took it seriously but I am naturally skilled with music

[@chimvomusic]

Me encanta la forma en la que expresas lo que piensas, y lo reafirmas al momento de tocar. Gracias Maestra.

[@tonkaphilips4674]

this video opened new horizons for me, please keep up with these! good work

[@maxjohn6012]

I would very much enjoy more videos like this. I particularly enjoyed the final point you made, about the importance of purpose in driving the gelling of elements during composition - it helps me understand why I completed the two pieces that I have seen through and why I've abandoned so many others that I have started!

[@davidskey]

Great video. I would love a video where you interview pianists about what they are thinking in the moments before they perform, both before going on stage and the moments before they begin a piece. I often see pianists pause before starting a piece and wonder what they might be thinking, whether something technical about the piece or a thought that gets them in the right emotional mindset.

[@lh2227]

I love this video, Nahre! Please tell us more about this topic! 🤩

[@MsOliviaCho]

I totally agree with the others calling Nahre Sol a genius! The feeling that is created by certain works of music by certain composers is a familiar but abstract concept, which she's somehow articulated in a concrete way that makes so much sense. I've been watching her videos for years now and I have to say that this is my favourite channel on KZbin :)

[@bwalle]

I really found this episode to be extremely rewarding and insightful. I’ve certainly liked the way you put this topic together so cleanly and balanced. This will definitely become a factor in how I approach learning and performing my music studies.

[@ropehitch]

Hell, yes! Let's dig deeper! Your videos are always amazing. So interesting. I (a musician) watch them often with my wife (a music afficionada - listens to music with the score in her lap, for instance). Your videos are accessible and totally enjoyable to both of us.

[@jonahpragermusic8653]

Thank you Nahre, for yet another amazing video! Also, I'm so happy for you regarding the Henle sponsorship for this video. Henle is the best!!!

[@gideonscheepers4340]

Brilliant brilliant brilliant! I loved the volcano reference, and you really helped me attune my ears to being aware of how these ingredients all come together. And that's not even to mention your skill, not only at playing and lyrical interpretation, but at articulating the entire concept so well. Simply marvelous. Thank you so much for this video, God bless 🙏🏻❤️

[@alexfischer9213]

Definitely made me look back on my compositions - thanks much Nahre!!

[@SingSkateScream]

Thanks for being so geniune! love the perspectives and its always nice to learn! appreciate ya!

[@michelemacinnis]

I love your videos, especially when you dissect aspects of the music like you did here. It’s like a lesson without a lesson.

[@RemyLuciani]

So cool to show examples where you modify one element at a time, it makes things so clear!

[@user-hy4tz3vk8o]

Nahre, you are the best on youtube!!! Your videos are all about the psychology of music, which is the most important and unexplored topic.

[@leslieackerman4189]

You have a lot of style and qualities that endear us to the music. Very talented communicator

[@CossuttaDario]

In theatre dance we talk about "finding the breath" of a choreography. It's pretty much the same concept. And you can hyperhanalyse it into constituent parts (accents, dynamics, single notes/movements etc) or keep the focus on the general intention, but breath (influencing both your psychological and physical states) ties it all together. However, more than one kind of breath might work for a piece (see Bernstein on Gould's interpretation, and yet it moves). As an offshoot, towards another musical world, but from this perspective, check out how Victor Wooten talks about music.

[@jpdj2715]

Nahre, you do this a lot better than Leonard Bernstein in his TV lectures on music, over 50 years ago, IIRC. Constant smile on my face. Thank you.

[@naturligfunktion4232]

I think you are into something. I would love to see more on this topic. It feels like a continueum of your previous videos and I like it!

[@jamescorbin5638]

First time listener-your approach is professional, informative and entertaining. Thanks

[@fcsolis]

What a beautiful show. I didn't understand half of it, I still had Goosebumps. Thank you.

[@brycelawson8648]

Awesome video Nahre! Love the little graphic effects and sketches you make too

[@vanilla5576]

Thank you, I really needed this!

[@dglens]

needs a part 2! great vid Nahre

[@lazp2727]

Delightful video! I love the way you explain your perspective & I appreciate the information you provide! Would love more like this!!

[@walkercatenaccio]

You are doing absolutely wonderful work, teaching us all in multiple enjoyable and articulate ways. Sometimes as i watch I am struck by the artistic/musical composition of the video itself.

[@nakoskyranos4080]

Nahre you are one of my prime inspirations as a autodidact in music. I learn a lot of theory, but your view of music helps me learn to use the heart tovturn it from theory robot to actual music. Thank you

[@jonstein6868]

Really enlightening session. Thanks for helping me get deeper into the subtleties of what makes some music so great...

[@IronFreee]

For me great music not only conveys emotions but the more you listen to it, the more you like it. Great music grows on you, it's not the most accessible.

[@astrologyambience240]

Fascinating, thank you for Diving Deep!

[@benja1378]

Love the little sound effects at the beginning, really nice!

[@danielnaimowicz9397]

You are só comfortable tô listen to..the information is a gentle surprise and helpful. You choose select áreas that Generally are missed or dismissed. Frankly it is a lovely treat tô receive your generous sharing. Thank you

[@jgwmain]

Well this is rather interesting. You always know how to fascinate me and the powerful musical part of my soul. Thanks Nahre. You are a brilliant genius I look forward to collaborating with in the future.😄

[@kangkyifilion9265]

it would be wonderful to hear more about that topic! I am in for a second part

[@jteichma]

Thanks Nahre, this is a great observation, and helped me see the importance of rhythm and feel in bringing together a great musical idea, or at least in developing a personal musical style. Happy holidays!

[@arieldavidov7259]

What a great video. Please continue the study and videos on performance of music

[@moneyluser5711]

I luv luv luv the Appassionata, and appreciate your insights. I hope there is a part 2.

[@SiddharthBhatt11]

Brilliant! Thanks a lot for your hard work and insights, Nahre! Yours videos are always eye-opening! If you can, please dig deeper into the “art” aspect of composition that you mentioned in this video. I think all good composers are like method actors but for music. They can feel the emotions of their subjects/characters (which are often themselves) and through the mastery of their craft they are all able to convey the same feelings (and/or tell the story) to their audience.

[@arthurw8054]

Superb presentation, thanks. It's so refreshing to have a discussion about "what makes music..." that stays away from the meaningless cliches, but rather, engages the subject with authentic, thought-provoking curiosity and first-rate creative intelligence.

[@ili626]

I really enjoyed these insights and how well it was all demonstrated. Thank you

[@profsjp]

Wonderfully insightful video - as always. 👏🏻👏🏻

[@melissaraven3164]

Excellent video, thanks. Very useful analysis, very engagingly presented. You are a great communicator about music.

[@kirisuconductor]

Amazing and insightful as usual, I think this is the most difficult thing to learn and teach about performance, not only how to articulate, enunciate or inflect, but also what is the purpose, the idea or the feeling behind a piece. Have you thought about making a video on intervals and the different feelings they can inspire?

[@antoniaaccettone4390]

Thank you, this is an interesting topic, I'd love to see more!

[@maxvoloshin_nefariousaquarius]

This is a great conversation. Yes, dig deeper into this.

[@tplayspiano]

I really enjoyed this video-keep them coming. Thank you.

[@treehann]

I love your videos so much! Always so engaging and interesting and of course nice on the ears.

[@Gaming4LifeFR]

Wow, congrats for realising this video. Music should also taught this way in schools. The points you brought in this video are really mind opening, for sure.

[@MV-es3sk]

This was great! Inspiring and thought evoking. Thank you for that :)

[@downdog70]

Very astute observations Nahre - interesting & thought provoking. I really appreciate your videos. They are a breath of fresh air! Thanks.

[@ishagshafeeg]

Genius. I’m loving this. Thanks

[@beanburrito9716]

Just Wow! You had me at 'crystallization', Nahre. 😘 What do I think? I can't get enough of what you just did here! Moar!! You make this jazzhead a fan of classical music in a more concrete or analytic, yet more mysterious, way. Kind of like what you say in your attempt to explain your main thesis and concept here, your (verbal) articulation and your choice of words, all of them, seem to be the real artistry in this particular video. Your command of the English language really matters in all your work. So refreshing to be able to think that I understand what you are saying, even as an amateur music appreciator. I'm going over all the words you used here to see how many I can memorize and recycle for my general writing and articulation purposes, for critique and conversations around the artistic realm in general. Already a treasure trove. I think I can even use your idea of placement of pauses (too much or too little) in every day speech to be more dramatic (or succinct) but I need some practice. But really, you had me at 'crystallization'.

[@SigMaQuint]

Beautiful touch and excellent point.

[@wolfgangberndt3481]

Very well analyzed, and interesting concept of crystallization! I agree especially about those little details in rhythm. Also when I am composing, I often experience the difference it makes in feeling to repeat a certain measure or to take out part of it, like in the appassionata example. 🤩 🎹

[@shanonkiyoshi4784]

Okay, WOW. YES! PLEASE do more videos on this topic! 🙏 As always your insights are a gateway to deeper questions & experimentation 🤔💡 As a composer what seems to me -- as your many examples of playing with the timing, performance, and accompaniments illustrated so well -- is that great composers seem to have DISTILLED their motifs and counterpoint through endless iterations BEFORE arriving @ their final destination. Music, like great literature, is hardly ever phenomenal or memorable in its first draft. My first ideas are usually a great place to TAKE OFF, but hardly ever a good place to LAND. This video drove this home even more for me, so YES, PLEASE --More videos on THIS! 😎👍🎶 Thank you for your work! It's obvious these topics are highly personal to you & I feel that's one of the many things that make them so thoughtful & entertaining. Holiday wishes & may the new year bring you overflowing breakthroughs & joy ✨️🎄✨️

[@chrysanthos7265]

Nahre, I feel inner turmoil in that Mozart fantasy, but also in you when it comes to making the judgement of profound vs basic/unrefined. Many of us have sadly been taught not to draw such distinctions. I'm happy that you are taking that step; rest assured that it's a necessary one. You have sound judgement, so keep at it!

[@thebootjournal6037]

Love how you explain all of this...

[@chrisbrauchli2758]

It's great to see a pianist who is truly a musician, I've come to see music as a living person, a woman with moods, hard to understand, but truly worth getting to know well... thank you for your work in this field...

[@jameswiblishauser9745]

so many ideas in every video. all you need is one at a time to keep you busy , speaking for myself at least. and I guessed bach, something I probably wouldn't have done if not for a certain previous video, the one with 12 composers playing happy birthday. nahre sol is awesome. much appreciated

[@michaelmccrary5037]

Thanks, Nahre. I really enjoy your posts. I play mostly Hawaiian music and jazz guitar. Your concepts have equal weight in all styles of music. The idea of timing, chord choices, and dynamics can change the feeling and meaning of songs/tunes. Thanks for your curiosity and playful explanations. Very thought-provoking.

[@JayCee-hw4zc]

Brilliant! Love your work!

[@lulcy789]

your videos are the epitome of great videos idk what else to say really :) also you make really good analogies 🤔